Notes on Diagnosis and Biology of Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a Parasitoid of the Invasive Mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract

Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is a specific, solitary endoparasitoid of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, a major invasive pest on cotton in all the cotton growing states in India. This paper provides a short diagnostic description of A. bambawalei with illustrations to facilitate easy identification and notes on the biology of A. bambawalei on P. solenopsis in the laboratory. The mean duration of development of A. bambawalei from egg laying to pupation was 8.85±0.21 days and pupation to adult emergence took 7.35±0.15 days in males and 7.00±0.16 in females. The mean total duration of development of A. bambawalei from egg laying to adult emergence was 16.10±0.25 days (range 14-18 days). The adults survived for 2-4 days on water, but the mean longevity was considerably enhanced on 50% honey (70.95±2.30 days in females and 49.00±2.35 days in males). Unmated females produced 100% male progeny. Four hyperparasitoids of A. bambawalei were recorded on field collected samples namely, Prochiloneurus pulchellus Silvestri, P. albifuniculus (Hayat et al.), and P. aegyptiacus (Mercet) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Promuscidea unfasciativentris Girault (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae).